So i'm getting Porter Cable what else do I need?

[Subydude81]

I'm looking to purchase a Porter Cable but could use some advice on what pads and or polishes I need if anyone can help.

Kind of confused by all the colored pads and what polishes/glazes I need to detail a car. I've just always done things by hand but see you get better results with a PC. I usually just use a paint cleaner, polish then a wax. Am I missing something in this process? Is there a certain amount of corrections you should do to a car over a period of time? Like is there to much?

I got some good info a week or 2 ago on here from STi22B but this is more directed at what pads for the PC and what the heck they do.

[STi22B]

you're going to want
a few black pads for finishing
a lot of white pads because you'll be using these a lot. they can finish and cut a bit
a few orange ones for paint correction
maybe a few yellow if your orange doesn't work

Different pads had different levels of cut. The stronger the cut, the less likely you're able to finish with them. For example, if you used a strong cut polish with an orange pad, you'd end up with small scratches no matter how hard you try. That's when you bring in a lighter polish with say, a white pad, to finish up. Yes, you'll be doing multi-step polishes on some cars, and this is what detailers mean. You'll know how to use everything after one or two cars.

as for polishes, i recommend menzerna 106ff and super intense polish. they're enough for most cars. If you need stronger, a lot of people say Meguiar's M105 is a good one. Can't go wrong with the Menzerna polishes though. Power gloss is the step above SIP.

Now... glazes. If you're good at polishing, glazes are never needed. They're just there to fill in what you can't polish out. Or... if you don't want to polish, a glaze will fill in light scratches for you as well.

[JDMWREX]

this is what u need with your PC
http://cgi.ebay.com/Meguiars-Car-Aut...QQcmdZViewItem

i hope that link works

u need a Meguiar's solo one kit it has ever thing u need!

JDMWREX

it works well too!

[1200 Mics.]

It's a good idea to get a 6" backing plate and a 6" counter-weight if you are going to be using pads such as the 6.5" Lake Country pads.

http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/S...787+1216783905
Thats where I ordered mine, I use 6.5" CCS lake country pads with it. Don't forget some pad cleaner too, it's important to clean your pads right after use, you don't want the polish/compound/whatever you are using to adhere into the pads. If you don't want to replace pads often, keep em clean.

[builthatch]

this is what's in my arsenal.

simple and effective. i rarely need anything outside of this when it comes to using my PC.

optimum compound for heavy correction
optimum polish for final finish after compound or after clay work (pre-sealant/wax)

optimum's poliseal is a really nice all-in-one, honestly, but i prefer finishing with their opti-seal and then topping that by hand with pinnacle liquid soveran

i use primarily ONE type of pad for all of my machine work- orange low pro lake country 5.5" and orange high profile lake country CCS 4" pads. I have several of each, and i never mix products on the same pad unless it's been cleaned. i've found that with the products i use, you need only those. and of course a quality soft foam pad for opti-seal application and another hand souveran application.

a 3.5" backing plate is really handy, but make sure the pads you buy work with it, meaning they actually have a full velcro top instead of a 3" partial velcro surface.

i clean my pads with dish soap and water. i press dry and then air dry. they come out fine, nothing special.

good luck!

[jdubya301]

Originally Posted by JDMWREX

this is what u need with your PC
http://cgi.ebay.com/Meguiars-Car-Auto-Polish-Buffing-Polishing-Detail-Pads_W0QQitemZ200240676810QQihZ010QQcategoryZ42266 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i hope that link works

u need a Meguiar's solo one kit it has ever thing u need!

JDMWREX

it works well too!

uhhhh. no.


listen to sti22b.

[at24]

http://www.autopia.org/forum/detaili...-polisher.html

[WRXlerate]

sti22b is on it. And I love Menzerna's products.

[Lamb155716]

this is what i have:
http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-por...mum-shine.html

add some more accessories and your good to go!

don't forget: use "clubmember" as the code for a 10% discount

[dbesins]

there are great advices here:
buy 4 or 5.5 pads anything bigger and the PC won't correct anything...
A big debate is also about the fact that the PC s engine is really weak, I ve got a PC and a makita rotary, and I ve used flex and UDM. If you don't have anything else to do correction don't get the pc get UDM or flex they are way more effective.
people will tell you that PC is great... I still regret not buying udm or flex and tryed them all. Please trust me on this one!

[dbesins]

also like 22b said lots of white pads, orange and black pads
menzerna SIP, 106 (one of my favourite polish really easy to work with)

[Kean]

Originally Posted by lambdamaster

this is what i have:
http://www.autogeek.net/menzerna-por...mum-shine.html

add some more accessories and your good to go!

don't forget: use "clubmember" as the code for a 10% discount

.....or "ago" for free ground shipping (try each and choose whichever is more cost effective).

[EnterTheDragon]

Just to echo what a few others said

5.5 and 4" inch pads are what you want for correcting pads, nothing bigger.

I rarely use black pads as I find white pads finish out well. So I stock up on orange and white.

Yes you can polish too much. Is your car a daily driver? If yes, learn to settle with less than perfect. Completely swirl free takes a lot of work and upkeep. I try and not to use an mild/mid aggressive polish more than once a year.

[Deznuts05]

I'll be barrowing my friends PC and feel i'm in the same shoes with the OP. When you all say cut and polish, can you recomend what pad and what product? Obviously, this is all opinonated so please don't flame each other.

thanks,
Rudy

[EnterTheDragon]

It all depends on the correction needed

SIP on an Orange pad is a hugely popular combo for mid level correction
and 106ff on a White pad is just as popular as a finishing combo

Of course you can try SIP on white for less correction etc

Blackfire and Wolfgang make SIP/106FF polishes that are supposedly more user friendly then the Menzerna counterparts.

[Subydude81]

So its not worth getting the 7424 with the 6.5" pads? Any reason to use the smaller ones?

[EnterTheDragon]

The PC is weak..the smaller the pad the better it works because it has less surface friction

[Deznuts05]

Dragon got any links for Blackfire and Wolfgang? I've only heard of Menzerna

[Kean]

Here's a start....

Wolfgang:
http://www.autogeek.net/wococarca.html

Blackfire:
http://www.properautocare.com/blaccarcarki.html

[EnterTheDragon]

Here's the wolfgang
http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgangduokit.html

I've been using it lately and like it, especially the TSR

[Kean]

....just to add, if you order from AutoGeek, make sure to use the coupon code "ago" for free shipping or "clubmember" for 10% off (whichever ends up saving you more).

[Deznuts05]

sweet! thanks all!

Anyone recommend a good clay? Other than yellow mothers or white meguires